Dying 8-year-old gets surprise princess-themed birthday party

Hundreds turned out to celebrate a special birthday for a California girl who has just weeks left to live after doctors discovered her rare brain cancer that was in remission for nearly a year had returned. Mirella Quintero, who will turn nine in August, was surprised with a princess-themed party by her family, friends and strangers last week, Recordnet.com reported.

The Mable Barron Elementary School student was diagnosed with Primitive Neuroectodernal Tumors of the Central Nervous System (NCS-PNET) in 2015. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, but a routine scan in February showed a new growth, Recordnet.com reported.

When doctors gave Mirella’s parents, Tiffanie and Manuel, the grim prognosis earlier this month, they contacted Debbie Carver, an advocate for a childhood cancer awareness group, with an idea for a party, Recordnet.com reported.

“I cannot tell you what came over me,” Carver told the news outlet via email. “I immediately felt I had to do something.”

Together with Kelley Hale, one of the party’s lead organizers, Carver put together a bash complete with balloons, cupcakes, Disney princesses, a photo booth and DJ.

“Hardly any money was spent,” Hale told Recordnet.com. “I had to turn away vendors. When you do something bigger than yourself – we’re all so thankful to our community for coming together – this says a lot for the people attending here.”

Mirella was treated to a special princess chair and rendition of “Happy Birthday” that her mother said she’ll never forget.